Verse 1
O Love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.
Verse 2
O light that followest all my way,
I yield my flickering torch to thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in thy sunshine's blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.
Verse 3
O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.
Verse 4
O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life's glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be.
O Love That Will Not Let Me Go Video
O Love That Will Not Let Me Go Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
O Love That Will Not Let Me Go is a beautiful hymn written by Chris Rice. It is a song that speaks of God's unfailing love and faithfulness towards us, even in the midst of our struggles and pain. This song has touched the hearts of many believers and has become a source of comfort and encouragement in times of difficulty.
Verse 1: "O Love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee; I give thee back the life I owe, that in thine ocean depths its flow may richer, fuller be."
The first verse of the song acknowledges God's unchanging love for us. It speaks of surrendering our lives to Him and finding rest in His faithful embrace. The imagery of giving back the life we owe to God signifies our recognition that every breath we take is a gift from Him. By surrendering our lives to Him, we allow His love to flow through us, making our lives richer and fuller.
Verse 2: "O Light that followest all my way, I yield my flickering torch to thee; My heart restores its borrowed ray, that in thy sunshine's blaze its day may brighter, fairer be."
In the second verse, the song acknowledges God as the guiding light in our lives. It speaks of surrendering our own feeble attempts at finding direction and placing our trust in God's leading. By yielding our flickering torch, which represents our own limited understanding, to God, we allow Him to illuminate our paths and make our days brighter and fairer.
Verse 3: "O Joy that seekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to thee; I trace the rainbow through the rain, and feel the promise is not vain that morn shall tearless be."
The third verse of the song speaks of finding joy in the midst of pain and difficulties. It acknowledges God's presence even in the darkest moments of our lives. The imagery of tracing the rainbow through the rain symbolizes finding hope and assurance in God's promises, even in the midst of trials. It reminds us that the morning will come, and our tears will be wiped away.
Verse 4: "O Cross that liftest up my head, I dare not ask to fly from thee; I lay in dust life's glory dead, and from the ground there blossoms red life that shall endless be."
The final verse of the song focuses on the cross of Christ. It speaks of embracing the cross and not shying away from the difficulties and challenges that come with following Christ. It acknowledges that our own glory and achievements are like dust compared to the glory of the cross. Through the cross, new life blossoms, and it is a life that will never end.
The lyrics of "O Love That Will Not Let Me Go" are powerful and speak of the unchanging and unfailing love of God. It reminds us that no matter what we are going through, God's love will never let us go. We can find rest, guidance, joy, and new life in Him.
Inspiration and Song Story:
The inspiration behind "O Love That Will Not Let Me Go" comes from the hymn written by George Matheson. George Matheson, a Scottish minister, wrote the original hymn in 1882. He was inspired to write the hymn when he was going through a difficult time in his life. Matheson was losing his eyesight, and he was also heartbroken over the end of his engagement. Despite these challenges, Matheson found comfort and assurance in God's unchanging love, which led him to pen the beautiful lyrics of the hymn.
Chris Rice, a contemporary Christian music artist, later adapted and recorded a version of the hymn. Rice's rendition of the song added a fresh and contemporary sound to the timeless lyrics, making it accessible to a wider audience. His heartfelt delivery and emotional depth in his performance capture the essence of the song and resonate with listeners.
Critical Analysis:
From a biblical perspective, "O Love That Will Not Let Me Go" aligns with the teachings of Scripture. The song beautifully expresses the themes of God's love, faithfulness, and redemptive power. Let us now critically analyze the main key messages of the song in light of biblical references.
1. God's Unfailing Love: The song emphasizes God's unchanging and unwavering love for us. The Bible affirms this truth in various passages. In Romans 8:38-39, it says, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." This verse assures us that nothing can separate us from God's love.
2. Surrendering to God: The song encourages us to surrender our lives to God and find rest in Him. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Surrendering to God allows us to experience His peace and rest.
3. Trusting in God's Guidance: The song speaks of yielding our own understanding and trusting in God's leading. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Trusting in God's guidance allows Him to direct our steps and make our paths straight.
4. Finding Joy in God's Promises: The song acknowledges that joy can be found even in the midst of pain and difficulties. James 1:2-3 tells us, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." Our faith in God's promises can bring us joy, even in challenging circumstances.
5. Embracing the Cross: The song highlights the significance of the cross and encourages us not to shy away from the challenges that come with following Christ. In Luke 9:23, Jesus says, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." Embracing the cross means we are willing to lay down our own desires and follow Christ wholeheartedly.
In conclusion, "O Love That Will Not Let Me Go" is a powerful hymn that speaks of God's unfailing love and faithfulness. Its lyrics resonate with believers by reminding them of God's constant presence in their lives, even in the midst of trials and difficulties. The song aligns with biblical teachings and encourages listeners to find rest, guidance, and joy in God's love.
